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Girl, 7, mistakes meth for candy

Associated Press, January 15, 2013

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Authorities say a 7-year-old girl in Joshua Tree became critically ill after eating methamphetamine she thought was candy. Her parents are under arrest.

A San Bernardino County sheriff's statement said Tuesday that 32-year-old Johnnie Glenn Koranda and 30-year-old Michelle Lee Beamer were being held on $100,000 bail for investigation of child endangerment.

The investigation began after the girl was taken to High Desert Medical Center with seizures, a severe fever and an elevated heart rate, and her condition was so severe she was flown to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. She tested positive for methamphetamine.

A urine test showed the girl, whose name was not released, tested positive for methamphetamine. The statement says her condition is improving. The couple's other three children have been placed in county custody.